Here’s a winter prep tip you might not have thought about: Check your soil moisture before a hard freeze!

When a big cold front is headed toward North Texas, most of us start thinking about covering outdoor faucets, protecting plants and making sure we’ve got everything we need before temperatures drop.

But here’s one thing that’s easy to overlook. If your soil is dry, your lawn and landscape plants could use a good drink before the freeze hits. Sounds a little backward, doesn’t it? Watering right before freezing weather? Turns out, there’s a good reason for it.

Why Moist Soil Matters

Moist soil holds and releases heat better than dry soil. That little bit of extra warmth can help protect plant roots when temperatures take a nosedive.

Additionally, if we haven’t had much rain lately, your lawn, trees and shrubs may already be dealing with dry conditions. Heading into a hard freeze without enough moisture just adds to the stress.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension recommends making sure plants have adequate soil moisture before freezing weather. It’s a simple step that can help, especially when combined with other cold-weather precautions.

Now, watering won’t save every plant from a prolonged deep freeze. But it can give your landscape a better chance of coming through the cold.

What Needs a Drink?

Before you drag out the garden hose, check your soil. If we’ve had plenty of rain, you probably don’t need to do anything.

But if things have been dry, here’s where we’d pay a little extra attention:

• Your lawn: Especially St. Augustine grass, which can be sensitive to extreme cold.
• Trees: Young and newly planted trees need a little extra attention.
• Shrubs and landscape plants: Don’t forget those evergreens that keep their leaves through winter.
• Flower beds: Give your perennials and other established plants a moisture check.
• Potted plants: Their roots are more exposed to the cold, so move tender plants somewhere protected if you can.

The idea isn’t to flood the yard. You just want the soil to have adequate moisture going into the freeze.

Timing Makes a Difference!

If the forecast is calling for a hard freeze, water while temperatures are still above freezing.

Give the water enough time to soak into the ground before the cold arrives. Aim for the soil around the roots instead of spraying leaves and branches. And don’t forget to disconnect your hose and protect that outdoor faucet when you’re finished!

One more thing: If your soil is already wet, skip the extra watering. Too much water isn’t doing your plants any favors, either.

A Few More Ways to Protect Your Plants

While you’re checking things around the yard, here are a few other things worth doing before the next cold front:

• Put down mulch. A good layer around trees, shrubs and flower beds helps moderate soil temperatures. Just keep it away from trunks and stems.
• Have frost cloth ready. Don’t wait until the forecast has everyone scrambling for supplies.
• Protect tender plants. Move potted plants into a garage or sheltered spot when possible.
• Keep an eye on the forecast. A light frost and several days of single-digit temperatures are two very different situations!

Get Ahead of the Next Cold Front!

We all know how quickly North Texas weather can turn. It might be 70 degrees one afternoon and downright miserable a day or two later.

So before that next hard freeze, take a minute to check your soil moisture. If things are dry, give your lawn and landscape a good watering while there’s still time.

A little preparation now might save you some heartache come spring!

Need frost cloth, faucet covers or other winter supplies? Come see us at Johnson Feed in Lewisville. We’ll help you get ready for whatever Mother Nature sends our way!

Want to Learn More?

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension has some helpful information on protecting your landscape from freezing temperatures.